U19 Women's World Cup 2023: Bizarre run-out in Australia-Sri Lanka game sparks controversy

The first-ever U19 Women’s World Cup attracted a large number of viewers, and the tournament finally has its top 12 teams. Three teams that finished in the top three spots of their respective groups have now advanced to the Super Six stage, which is all set to commence on January 21, Saturday.

In one of the recently concluded games between Australia and Sri Lanka, a bizarre incident took place. Australia handed Sri Lanka a humiliating 108-run defeat in the 17^th game of the tournament. After putting up a 160-run target, Australia restricted Sri Lanka to mere 51 runs in the second innings to bag the victory, but a run-out in the first innings is what grabbed the eyeballs of many.

Amy Smith launched a shot towards long-off in the 19th over of the innings off Rashmi Nethranjali's delivery and ran to take a single. Dulanga Dissanayake received the ball directly and threw it to the non-striker's end. Standing at the non-striker's end, Hamilton attempted to go for a second run. 

But, in an attempt to return to the crease, she was unintentionally blocked by the Sri Lankan bowler Nethranjali. Amid the hassle, the ball hit the stumps directly, courtesy of Dissanayake’s throw, and as a result, Hamilton was declared run-out. Many called the decision unfair as the video went viral on the internet.

While there were a few fans who said that it should have been not out as the bowler obstructed the batter, there were some who were supportive of the Sri Lankan side as one of the users wrote that the batter did not attempt to get back into the crease.

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Australia and Sri Lanka make it to Super Six

Courtesy of the 108-run victory, Australia finished second in the Group A points table, below Bangladesh, and secured themselves a place in the Super Six stage. Though Sri Lanka lost the game, they finished third in the points table and moved further in the tournament as well. Both Australia and Sri Lanka will be facing India in their next contest of the tournament in the Super Six stage.

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